Motorist with damaged wheel was found to have been drink-driving

Drink-drive breathalyser.

Published:12:54Monday 06 March 2017Updated:14:03Tuesday 07 March 2017

A motorist was caught drink-driving after he was spotted with a faulty front wheel.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Tuesday, February 28, how Dean Lindley, 40, was seen driving with part of a front wheel sticking out and was found to be over the drink-drive limit on Nottingham Road, Codnor.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said: “Police became aware of the vehicle driving slowly and the front wheel was protruding from the front wheel arch.

“The vehicle had driven into a pavement and stopped. Lindley got out and was slurring his words and was unsteady on his feet.

“The front nearside tyre had come off and a rim was missing from the vehicle which had been driven some distance without a tyre.”

Lindley told police he had been with a friend in Ripley and had an argument and he had had a few drinks and mounted a curb causing damage.

The defendant, of Alma Hill, Kimberley, pleaded guilty to exceeding the alcohol drink-drive limit after the incident in February 11.

He registered 88microgrammes of alcohol in 100millilitres of breath when the legal limit is 35microgrammes.

Defence solicitor Denny Lau said Lindley had fallen out with a friend and had decided to drive around to calm down but he went to Ripley and had drinks.

Mr Lau added: “He was hoping his friend would have calmed down and he would be able to go back and they would make up but that didn’t happen and he got back in the vehicle.

“He kerbed the wheel bursting the tyre and then he pulled up of his own accord.”

Mr Lau added that as a joiner who works across the region there is a likelihood Lindley will lose his job if he loses his driving licence.

Magistrates sentenced Lindley to a 12 month community order with 80 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge and he was banned from driving for 22 months.

Magistrates told Lindley that if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course his ban could be reduced by 24 weeks.